Game.



Patented May 27, I902. J. S. DONOVAN.

1N0. 7mm.

(No Model.)

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NTTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH S. DONOVAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 701,171, dated May 27, 1902. Application filed March 13, 1901. Serial No. 50,995. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH S. DONOVAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to games and gameboards of that class d esigned to he participated in by two or more persons and in which is em ployed aboard or table or the like divided into a plurality of squares or sections over or upon which are designed to be moved blocks representing men or characters, the game in the present instance being designed to be instructive in its nature, being what I calla tactical game, the subject being that now taught at West Point and other prominent academies and will serve as a good recreation for the young student as well as the old soldier and will form a profitable manner of spending a portion of the time when not otherwise employed.

The game is a new substitute for checkers, dominoes, and chess, the first letter of each forming the name which I have chosen to give the game, which is Oedece.

able pieces are each provided with a desig-.

nating-mark designed to show the direction in which it is going. A key is provided which shows where the marked point of each piece must be.

The field has six diamonds or squares upon a side and so arranged that I am enabled to use colors. NVith the board held in one direction the first diamonds or squares are of one color; but by giving the board or table a quarter-turn the first diamonds or squares are of a different color. In this instance theyare shown as black and white; but it is evident that other contrasting colors maylbe employed.

In the accompanying drawings, which show the preferred form of my invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of a game-board constructed in accordance with the invention, the squares upon opposite sides of the board outside the boundary-lines thereof representing the positions of the officers and privates at the 'sents the second lieutenant.

beginning of the game. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the men, the captain. Fig. 3 illustrates the key.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the drawings, I will describe the invention in its preferred form. 1 designates a board or table of any suitable kind, preferably rectangularin form and having. thereon a series of division-lines 2, which are disposed angularly with reference to the sides of the board or table, (seen in Fig.1,) and as is also clearly illustrated in said figure the points or angles 5 of the rectangular blocks'or pieces thus formed point toward and touch the outer boundary-lines of the board or table. As is clearly seen in Fig. 1, there are six diamonds or squares at the outer edge upon each side of the board or table. These are so disposed that while the outer diamonds or squares upon one side are of one color-say whitethose upon the adjoining side at the outer edge are of a contrasting color, in this instance black.

3 represents the pieces or men in the form of squares of any suitable material and of a size corresponding to the size of the squares on the board or table. Each of the blocks or pieces is provided with some designating-mark 4: at one corner thereof, which is for the purpose of indicating the directing of movement of said piece. Three of each set of these pieces are further distinguished from the others and from each other to desr ignate the captain, first lieutenant, and secondlieutenant. That seenin Fig. 2represents the captain. The square shown at the rear of the captain in the assemblage of squares beneath the board in Fig. 1 designates the first lieutenant and that to rear of the first lieutenant in said group repre- It will thus be seen that each piece has its designatingmark 4 to indicate the direction of movement of the square or piece, while in each group or set there are the three pieces above mentioned, having the further characteristic features or designating marks, that of the captain having two parallel lines 5 upon each side of the center and these parallel marks subdipiece representing the second lieutenant l manding officer in the key can be placed has the parallel lines 5 only. Furthermore, the oflicers are distinguished from the privates by means of two rows of dots 8, while the privates have but one row 9 of said dots.

1O designates the key. It is provided with letters A B O, &c., and numbers, as indicated, to designate the position of the officers and men.

The game is played as follows: Each player should have three ofiicers, and twelve privates. Acom mandis an officer with one or more privates. One player begins the game by placing a command in the field.

All commands upon entering the field. must use the first diamonds that have one point on the edge of the field. Each player can have three independent commands in the field--for instance, an officer with four privates in each-but cannot enter more than one command at a time. Whenever a command of more than one line enters the field the rear line must occupy the first diamonds, and the balance must be placed in the diamonds directly in front of the rear line, like soldiers on a march. After entering the fielda command must make all its new moves from its position in the field. The marked point of each piece must always show the direction in which it is going. To take a prisoner, one must move a piece into a space occupied by an enemy. Officers take and treat prisoners just the. same as privates do. Everyprisoner must always be under his captor and move with him on top. To rescue a prisoner, one must make him-his prisoner and treat him like one until he leaves the field. Any number of pieces can occupy one space; but the last captor must always be on top. Officers and privates must always be in communication-that is, in spaces adjoining each other. Whenever communication is broken by the enemy, only'those in communication with an oflicercan move. The balance cannot move until taken prisoners. An oflicer cannot move without a private and a private cannot move without an oflicer. Whenever the'half-diamonds on the edge of the field cannot protect the enemy, it is possible to tak'e prisoners by simply putting a new command in the field at ones turn to move. This is'called an ambush. It can be made at the right, left, or your side of the field. At your turn to move after entering the field select one of the fourteen moves and move one command. The letters and numbers in the key show where the marked points of each piece must be one line or at the intersection of lines, according to the move selected. The key to the moves illustrates a command of two privates in one line executing the fourteen different moves. If there were more privates in a line and more lines, the whole command would move all together, like soldiers marching. The comat L, G, B, H, O, K, or P upon entering the field, after which he moves with his command. After each new move an officer can change his position to the front, right, left, or rear of his command, but must always be in communication.

A piece can move sidewise as far as desired, but one cannot take any prisoner or prisoners with aside step, nor can one enter the field with a side step. The only way that one can leave the field is with a side step, whichis made to get out of the field quickly, with or without prisoners, or to reach the enemys side with prisoners to make an exchange. In exchanging prisoners exchange private for private,, officer for officer, ofiioer for two privates, two privates for one officer. Whenever a command exchanges prisoners, it must immediately leave the field with exchanged prisoners. This is called a truce. After a truce a command can reenter the field to continue the game. The victor must capture all the enemy or cripple him, so that he cannot continue the game.

The game is instructive, develops skill, and it is impossible to foretell who will be the winner. I

Directions or rules and explanation of the key will accompany the game, as is usual in such devices.

What I claim as new is-- 1. A set of men for a game,- comprising pieces each having a direction-mark at a corner, a piece having a direction-mark at a corner, and parallel lines at each side of the direction-mark,a piece having adirection-mark at a corner, parallel lines at each side of the direction-mark, and a line crossing the parallel lines at each end thereof, and a piece having a direction-mark at a corner, parallel lines at each side of the direction-mark, and parallel lines crossing the parallel lines at each end thereof.

2. A set of men for a game comprising pieces each having a direction-mark at'a corner and a row of dots in line therewith, a piece having a direction-mark at a corner, parallel lines on each side of the directionmark, and rows of dots in line with the latter, a piece having a direction-mark at a corner, parallel lines on each side of the direction-mark, a line crossing the parallel lines at each end thereof, and rows of dots in line with the direction-mark, and'a piece having a direction-mark at a corner, parallel lines on each side of the direction-mark, parallel lines crossing the parallel lines at each end thereof and rows of dots in line with the direction-mark.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH S. DONOVAN.

Witnesses:

S. W. OLAsoN, J r., JAMES J. DONOVAN. 

